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Reasons for the renewal 

Aussenansicht Kunstmuseum Bern

Thanks to its collections and exhibitions, Kunstmuseum Bern is well received by both the public and the media. Nationally and internationally, the museum is recognised as a renowned address for studying and teaching about art dating from the Middle Ages to the present day. Kunstmuseum Bern attracts 100,000 visitors every year. What it lacks is a modern, sustainable infrastructure.

Kunstmuseum Bern’s main task is to make its cultural treasures accessible to the public and to preserve them for future generations. In order for the museum to be able to continue meeting the operational demands of a modern-day museum going forward and holding exhibitions with national and international appeal, both museum buildings – the Stettler Building from 1879 and the extension from 1983 (Atelier 5 building) – are in urgent need of refurbishment.

The defects are serious: They concern the building services and HVAC systems, earthquake safety and accessibility as well as art delivery and logistics, lighting, safety and escape routes and the long-term protection of cultural assets (art depot).

Refurbishing requirements of Atelier 5 building (extension) 

Due to structural defects, the Atelier 5 building may only continue to operate until the end of 2030. Emergency refurbishment was already necessary in 2019. By the scheduled start of construction in 2029, many systems will have been in operation for 46 years, meaning that they will have far exceeded their usual operating and service life. 

    • Improve earthquake safety (for operations to continue after 2030, the building’s structure requires additional major remedial work in order for it to meet earthquake requirements in accordance with the SIA)
    • Compliance with fire protection regulations and standards (fire compartments, escape routes) according to the assessment report prepared by the building insurance company dated 27 November 2017
    • Improve public access and connections; improve accessibility
    • Modernise all building services systems (at the end of service life, high operating costs)
      • Electricity (built in 1983): The main power distributors no longer meet today’s standards.
      • Ventilation systems (built in 1992): The system is a compact air recirculation system that has limited capacity for dealing with incoming water vapour when outdoor humidity levels are high. The systems are prone to faults and frequently require emergency call-outs outside normal operating hours.
      • Air conditioning / cooling system (built in 1992): The refrigerant used – R422D – is prohibited for use in new systems and is only available with a special permit. The entire system must be replaced by 2034 at the latest.
    • Replace sanitary equipment (constructed in 1983): Very high degree of wear, some of the fixtures and fittings are defective
    • Modernise elevator systems (built in 1983)
    • Ensure contemporary lighting of the exhibition rooms / objects (technical, energy efficiency, curatorial)
    • Increase the severely restricted load-bearing capacity of the floors from the current 2.1 kN/m2 to the standard of 15.0 kN/m2 required for contemporary museum operations
    • Change art delivery situation to satisfy the requirements of international lending, e.g. in-house unloading and loading (currently not possible)
    • Repair the flat roof with skylights: The existing daylight system has been inoperable since the first emergency refurbishment in the early 1990s
    • Optimise the course of the discharge stacks and roof water pipes running through the exhibition areas (insurance risk)
    • Modernise the art depots (constructed in 1983): Location, dimensions and access cause high operating expenses; outdated picture hanging system
    • Rectify the poor building envelope (energy requirements not met)
    • Modernise food service facilities (operational equipment at end of service life) 

Refurbishment requirements of the Stettler Building (old building)

The Stettler Building also needs to be refurbished quickly. A postponement increases the risk of unplanned interruptions to operations and further increases the costs of ensuring the operability of the building services equipment, which is more than 25 years old. By the time the refurbishment is scheduled to start in 2029, 30 years will have passed since the last comprehensive refurbishment.

    • Improve earthquake resistance (building and façade)
    • Renovate the façade (crumbling sandstone)
    • Refurbish the dome roof and illuminated ceiling
    • Improve public access and connections, improve accessibility
    • Modernise the air conditioning and cooling systems (constructed in 1999): The maintenance needs of the cooling system are disproportionately high and its operation is frequently disrupted
    • Hot water heating (built in 1999): Age-related replacement by 2034 at the latest
    • Modernise windows (constructed in 1879/1999) and textile blinds
    • Refurbish the parquet and stone floors in the exhibition rooms (risk of injury to visitors, cracks in the terrazzo floor)
    • Improve the equipment and security of the rooms used for restoration/conservation
    • Improve the spatial situation of art education activities (access, location and equipment)
    • Make parapet heights and fall protection legally compliant
    • Replace lift systems
    • Replace lighting with energy-efficient LEDs
    • Replace the wooden shed containing the temporary workshop  

The renewal will enable Kunstmuseum Bern to meet international standards in terms of exhibition climate, security, protection of cultural assets, art delivery, service quality and visitor friendliness. Operations will become significantly more efficient and conserve resources. This will keep operating costs stable despite the larger exhibition space.

The neighbouring building at Hodlerstrasse 6 plays a key role: Its inclusion will give Kunstmuseum Bern a new administrative building and bistro in the immediate vicinity, meaning there will be no need to build any additional expensive office spaces in the new building. 

  • Rendering Siegerprojekt «Eiger», Ausstellungsraum im Untergeschoss

    What the museum will offer in the future

    Bright and airy exhibition rooms enhance art appreciation. You can look forward to an inviting entrance to the building, spacious mediation rooms, attractive food service options and spaces you’ll enjoy spending time in.

    Read more

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